🌱 Robotaxi Service + Excalibur Mattress Fire + Film Challenge

Rise and shine, Las Vegas! Let's get you started this Friday with everything you need to know going on around Las Vegas today.

---

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and cold. High: 56 Low: 34.

---

Here are the top 4 stories today in Las Vegas:

1. An on-demand "robotaxi" service has just launched and is ready to be taken for a drive in downtown Las Vegas. On Thursday, Motional and Via announced that free self-driving rides are available for pickup. Motional is in charge of designing the self-driving vehicles while Via is in charge of booking and routing rides through their software. The two companies stated that this is just the first step of their long-term plan for on-demand and shared robotaxis in the city. (News3LV)
2. Around midnight on Thursday, a mattress in a room on the 12th floor of the Excalibur Hotel & Casino reportedly caught fire, injuring two people. The Clark County Fire Department responded to reports of smoke emanating from a hotel tower. KTNV reported that two people who were hurt in the incident declined to go to a hospital. (Las Vegas Patch)
3. In the Lucky Sevens Film Challenge, filmmakers are asked to produce and direct a film in one week on a $7,000 budget. It was created a year ago by local actor and producer Ben Stobber and local filmmaker Jeremy Settles. Once the challenge has been completed, a few of the films will be selected to premiere at Galaxy Theatres at the Boulevard Mall. All of the proceeds will be going to the filmmakers' charity of choice. (Las Vegas Weekly)
4. A training facility in Las Vegas is setting out to help teenage truck drivers with staying safe on the roads. The program is called the Apprenticeship Pilot Program, and it allows drivers between the ages of 18 to 20 with an intrastate commercial driver's license to operate out of state lines. However, it would only be allowed under very specific conditions. This program is driven by the truck driver shortage. (KTNV Las Vegas)

---

From our sponsor:

Tackling a big to-do list around the house to start the new year? Our partners at Thumbtack, the home services app, have made hiring trusted local pros for pretty much any job extremely easy and intuitive. In minutes, you can find a painter, plumber, roofer or someone to help with small jobs such as trash hauling or appliance repair. And Thumbtack's rating system can give you confidence that you're hiring a quality pro you can count on. Click here to get started.

---

Today in Las Vegas:

• Baby Time at Summerlin Library (10:30 AM)
• Homework Help Center at Sunrise Library (2:00 PM)
• Free 3D Printing Workshop at Centennial Hills Library (3:00 PM)

---

From my notebook:

• The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District wants to invite everyone to join them next week for their Las Vegas Stories event. It centers "on the amazing women who made a difference in the development and history of Nevada." Check out their post for more details! (Instagram)
• The Las Vegas Fire Department is teaching the community on what a header is. In simple terms, a header is a column of smoke. It is an indicator of a working fire. Check out their post for a visual. (Instagram)
• The Las Vegas Police Department is celebrating Black History Month by remembering Lieutenant Wilbur Jackson. Jackson was one of three Black officers in the department when he served. These three men paved the way for future Black officers in the department. (Facebook)

---

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Desert Breeze Photography — (Visit website)
• Available Now —
• Add your business here

Events:

• Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
• Add your event

---

Loving the Las Vegas Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers

---

Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

— Dominique-Noelle Rafael

About me: Dominique is a self taught UX/UI designer based in Princeton, NJ. She recently graduated from the University of Maryland last spring with a bachelor's degree in Information Science. She is excited to begin working on the Patch newsletter project this year!